Menopause & conception?

Im 41 & have just been told that I am going through the menopause, even though I still have regular periods. I have been trying to concieve for a while now and now know why I cannot, apparantly the menopause has caused ovarian failure. My only option now is fertility treatment & as I do not have any children as yet this is causing me a lot of anxiety and despair as I may not have any working eggs left.
Does anyone else have a similar story or any words of advice?

Our son is 9, and the product of in vitro. I was 40 when he was born, although not perimenopausal.

You can guess my advice: Get to a fertility specialist (that's not the same as a GP or OB-GYN) as soon as possible. You need to have a complete picture of what's going on in your body before you jump to conclusions in either direction. If it is possible, you will stimulate your ovaries to produce many mature eggs at once, and then they will be surgically harvested, mixed with your husband's sperm, and after the 8-cell blastula stage is reached, they will be transferred into your uterus. It's a time consuming process, so be prepared. It's also expensive. Because of your age and possible perimenopausal condition, if it's feasible, I would opt to skip other treatments like Clomid (a fertility drug) and in-utero fertilization and go straight to in-vitro. It is more expensive, more risky, more invasive, more time consuming... and more likely to result in pregnancy. If you and your husband are really committed to the idea of being parents, there are always options, until you reach the limit of what you're willing to do. An interesting study I read for my Master's showed that in order to feel satisfied with their lives, most older people had to feel they'd made an impact on younger generations. The study showed, though, that they did not have to be parents to feel this sense of satisfaction! Younger relatives, neighborhood children, school or Sunday School children, children you help in any way can benefit from your love and expertise, and that makes the world a better place because of you. You have a world of opportunity open to you! Now, if you decide to go through with all the tests, procedures, needle sticks, EXTREME emotional turmoil, and general embarassment of in-vitro, here's my final advice: Try to maintain your sense of humor. YOU'RE BOTH GOING TO NEED IT!! No matter what happens, I wish you all the luck in the world, and hearts full of peace.

My aunt had her first child at 40. I'm not sure if she was going through menapause or not tho. I would check with your Dr. and discuss some options. You could also adopt. There are lots of children who need good homes. But I understand that some women want children of their own. I know I do. Good Luck and Best Wishes!

Unfortunately I think one of your only options is going to be in-vitro fertilization either with your own harvested eggs or with donor eggs. If you're having ovarian failure, I don't think typical fertility medications would work.